David Stoneman-Merret (London, UK)

By looking at the effects of dementia in the elderly and how one might mismatch a sock or in this case daywear and nightwear, Kent's Stoneman-Merret has reviewed the way we see the categories in fashion. The young designer in the final year of his fashion design course at Kingston has found inspiration in the grace and sense of elegance of the older generation to produce a knitwear collection combining unexpected materials. Dazed find out more about how he approached his idea and executed it...  

Q&A
Where are you based?
I am based at Kingston University in South West London

Where are you from?
Originally from Sittingbourne in Kent

How old are you?
22 years old

Why did you become interested in fashion?
I was going to do a degree in architecture or interior design but through my art and design foundation at UCA Rochester I found a love for fashion, designing and making.

Tell us about your current collection?
My current collection is based on the elderly. Looking at dementia for a styling aspect of mixing both day and night wear together in uniformed looks and outfits. Using objects such as soft furnishings and wallpapers and pixellating their patterns to create knit patterns in jumpers and all in ones. I have also included images of my late Nan, pixellating them and printing them on vest tops and also turning one into a knitted jacquard jumper which has become one of the main pieces of my collection.

Why did you choose to use these fabrics and how did you find them?
The majority of my collection is knitwear as I have a great passion for designing and making among it. This has added to the relaxed feeling and humour of my collection. Other fabrics have been sourced for the same reasons such as silk jerseys and washed silks for their drape and texture that sits well with the different yarns I have chosen to use. Such as wools, cashwools, cottons, mohairs and merino wools.

Where do you seek your inspiration?
I personally take my inspiration from what is around me, thus why my collection is probably based around the elderly as I have a great respect for them and I was very close to all my grandparents, in particular my late Nan, and am still very close with the older generations of my family.

Who is your favourite designer and why?
I do have a lot of respect for Marc Jacobs for adding an element of humour to his collections. Just being bold and doing what he likes and making it right instead of thinking what is right.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy? The last six months have made me very happy. Being able to do something that is soley about what you want to achieve in a matter of eight looks, portraying yourself through an idea and object. That is exciting.

Where can we buy your designs?
At the moment they are currently not on sale anywhere but I would love to be able to share my work with people who are excited by it.